Package forming machine



Oct. 7, 1952 F E, B|KFRD 2,612,822

PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 1, 19443; 'I sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Oct 7, 1952 F. E. elem-'ORD 2,612,822

PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed April l, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 nun , INVENTOR REDERICK E. BICKFORD www ATTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1952 F, E, BlCKFORD 2,612,822

PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April l, 1944 INVENTOR FREDERICK Ble/#URD ATTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1952 F. E. BlcKFoRD PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 1, 1944 Tw Nw .md OW l NVE NTOR FREER/CK E. BICKFORD ATTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1952 F. E. alcKFoRn PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 1, 1944 INVENTOR w 0 F m m. E m m. M m

ATTORNEYS .mmhw

Oct. 7, 1952 vF. E. JalcKFoRD PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheel 6 Filed April l, 1944 mNF n INVENTOR FREDERIC/f 5MM-URD ATTORNEYS F. E. BICKFORD PACKAGE FORMING vMACHINE Oct. 7, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April l, 1944 FREE/CK E BIC/(FORD ATTORNEYS Patented ct. 7, i952 man UNITED STATES A'ii'i' @FFME racimos romaine `Maderas Frederick E. Bickiord, Rye, N. Y. application Amai 1, 194i, serial No. 529,066

y 9 Claims. l

The present invention relates to a packaging machine and particularly rto avmachine generally similar to that of Patent No. 2,147,632 of February 21, i939, as modied by Patent No. 2,265,024, issued December 2, 1941. scribed in that patent formed a package from a sheet of cellulose acetate or other thin, iiexible material of like character in the following manner.

A sheet of material, the width of which was equal to the width of the base plus twice the height of a package to be formed plus an amount for cover flaps, was taken from a reel and passed through a mechanism which caused longitudinal reinforcing strips to be adhered to the original sheet relatively near the margin thereof and spe-V cifically along the lines where the bases and sides were to join in the iinal packages, the longitudinal strip forming reinforcing for the sides of the packages. Following this, transverse reinforcing tray-like structures were caused to be adhered to the original sheet between and at right angles to the longitudinal reinforcing strips at spaced points corresponding to the length of a package. Thereafter, the tray-like structures were cut along their` center lines and the underlying sheet out at the same time, the sheet being also cut along the ends of the tray-like structures. Subsequently the half trays were rotated about their edges to form ends of the package trays and thereafter the longitudinally reinforced edges of the sheet were folded upwardly and caused to adhere to the corners formed by the reinforcing half trays. Following this the completed trays were lled, if desired, and then a cover sheet wa-s fed from a drum above a steel tongue which extended over a number of packages. This tongue was held upwardly (against rollers) by magnetic means so that it formed a support against which the side iiaps were folded downwardly and adhered to the edges of the cover sheet.

The present invention, as has been stated, contemplates a machine generally similar to that described above but dilerent in some respects; one of these is that the present machine not only has means for placing and adhering reinforcing end trays to the base sheet'bu't also provides a means for fabricating such trays from cellulose acetate, or other moldable sheet material. The trays formed from cellulose lacetate by the means disclosed in this application may not only be used to form reinforcing ends for packages but in addition trays made on this mechanism may be used to form complete packages. This would be accomplished by utilizing two trays of slightly different dimensions, one as the base and the The machine as de-r February 2l, 1939, as to the driving mechanism provided and also with respect to the means for assuring the application of vacuum to the'link/ structure. Additionally, the machine of the present invention may be provided with a link structure having top plates in duplicate so that two packages may undergo the same formative steps lat the same time.

It is an object of the invention to provide mechanism for forming trays and applying them to sheets of cellulose acetate or the like in such manner as to become the ends of a package.

It is another object of the invention to provide mechanism for applying the formed trays to a sheet of cellulose acetate or other flexible material.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a mechanism in which trays may be made in such manner that two of these trays taken together may form a complete package.

It is a further object of the invention to lproe vide means whereby two packages may undergo the same Vformative steps simultaneously on a single machine. Y

It isa still further object of the invention to provide an improved driving mechanism for the moving links of a. chain type of packaging and package forming machine, whereby variation in the link spacing is provided for. l

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved link` structure comprising a new form of contacts'hoefor the vacuum tube andan improved connection thereirom to the top plate for such a` machine which together'assures that there be no less of the suction applied to the moving links thereof.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional View of a package forming and packaging machine showing means for forming and applying end trays to a sheet of cellulose acetate or the like and showing also the mode of applying vacuum to the moving links of the package forming machine on which a' sheet of cellulose acetate to which the trays are applied is registered. This View likewise shows an improved mode of constructing the links of a moving chain to assure the application of suction to the cellulose acetate with substantially no loss 'of suction during transmission. in this figure poppet valves are shown (with a helical cam shaft for actuation thereof) anditis evi' dentthey are required only'when the links are spaced apart and are not needed when shoes abut 3 end to end; since the pump capacity may be increased to care for the slightly increased leakage resulting therefrom.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the tray forming mechanism of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the tray forming mechanism.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of one half of the mechanism of Figure 3 taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross section of one half of the mechanism of Figure 3 taken on the plane of the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a strip of cellulose acetate or like moldable material from which the trays are formed. This view shows the strip after holes and slots have been punched therein and score lines have been made thereon to aid in the formation of the tray. As hereafter will appear these lines and punchings can be formed in the strip either in the present machine or in a separate machine as is preferable.

Figure 7 is a top plan view showing a section of the strip as it appears after the first operation performed thereon in the machine of this invention, that is to say after it has been perforated along center line and cut from the length of strip supplied to the machine.

Figure 8 shows the strip o f Figure 7 after the sides and ends have been bent up and areV in position to have the end flaps bent over and adhered to the side flaps.

Figure 8a is a side elevation of the strip of Figure 7 showing the appearance of the partially formed tray when seen from the side.

Figure 9 shows the end flaps bent over the sides and adhered thereto.

Figure 9a is a view similar to Figure 8a showing the tray and also illustrating the operation of part of the forming mechanism.

Figure 10 is a view generally similar to Figure 8 but showing a mode of forming flaps on the sides and adhering them to the ends of the tray rather than forming flaps on the ends and adhering them to the sides.

Figure 11 is a transverse cross sectional-view of the machine ofFigure 1 showing particularly the mode of driving the links of the; chain and the construction of the links for eliminating any loss of vacuum or suction which might have been present in the construction shown in my earlier patents and particularly in Patent No. 2,130,761 of September 20, 1938; and

Figure 12 is a transverse cross sectional view of a link structure in which registration platforms are provided in duplicate so that two packagesv may proceed through the same steps in formation simultaneously. In this structure the tray applying mechanism is of course likewise provided in duplicate and is so illustrated in the drawing.

The sheet of material from which the bottom andsides of the package are to be formed is supplied with longitudinal reinforcing strips-in the same manner as is shown in my Patent No. 2,147,632 the base sheet` being creasedv or folded at the inner margin of the reinforcing strips as is shown in the patentmentioned.

Since many of the structural elements shown in the drawings are identical with those of-my Patent No. 2,265,024 abovementioned, the reference characters used are those used to identifycorresponding parts inA the patent.

After the base. sheet has beenV provided with the longitudinal reinforcing strips as above mentioned, it is fed to the links I0 of a moving chain on which the material is registered in proper position by the application of vacuum through the passages of the links. The links are then advanced to a position such as that shown in Figure l of the drawings in which each of three chain links lies beneath the mechanism for forming and applying reinforcing ends to the longitudinally reinforced strip.

With the links stationary (as they periodically are due to a suitable driving mechanism as for example a Geneva movement or the like) in the position specied reinforcing tray-like members generally designated II are applied transversely to the sheet between the rst and second and the second and the third links. The mechanism for making and applying these tray-like reinforcing members is shown in Figures 1 through 5 and comprises two portions one of which is a mold and the other a plunger. The plunger mechanism serves not only to form the reinforcing trays but also to apply these trays when formed to the base sheet. This plunger member is identical with the similar member of the patent above mentioned but has the additional function of acting in cooperation with the mold to form the trays from a blank of cellulose acetate or other moldable sheet material.

Although, as has been stated, the plunger member is identical with that shown in my above mentioned patent, it will be described in some detail due to the fact that it serves the additional function of forming the trays. The plunger mechanism is shown particularly in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. It comprises a pair of yokes I2 between which a bar I3 extends. Each of the yokes has attached thereto an actuating rod I4, these rods extending upwardly and being guided at their upper ends in any suitable manner.

Spaced inwardly from the yokes I2 are supporting members I5 which serve as guideways for the tray lowering and folding members generally designated'l 6. Extending through these tray lowering andfolding members I6 are slots I1 through which the bar I3 previously described passes. Fastened to members I 6 are guiding members (I8, see Figure 3, Patent No. 2,265,024) so that the slots I1 and guides I8 together guide the bars I3 for vertical reciprocation.

Each tray lowering and folding member I6 comprises a plate 2U having narrow flanges 2I at both sides thereof, these flanges extending in both directions and vforming an H-shaped member in cross section. The ends of the flanges 2|. of plate 20 terminate in points 22 which are sharpened and which serve to cut the base sheet at the proper time as. will be later described. Likewise the bottom edge of plate 20 is formed with teeth 23 (see Figure 2) which are sharpened and which serve to cut the reinforcing trays II as well as the underlyingbase sheet as will also be later described.

Plate 20 is provided With slots 24 through the outer ones of which extend screws 24a which couple two tray inserting plates 25, these plates being a-lso used in the present instance as a die member to cooperate with the mold in the formation of the trays. Fastened to the plate 20 are four flat springs 26 having curved lower ends, these springs being fixed to the plate 20.at their upper ends only and being located one on either side of each face of plate20. The tray inserting plates-25 are grooved opposite the springs 26 so that the springs4 may slide within the grooves inv tangular piece of resilientmateriall (28', Fig-v -ures 11 and`l3, Patent No. 2,265,024) each Aof which is .bowed outwardly at its lower extremity.-

This rectangular sheet is provided with slots similar to the slots 24 so that the screws 24a holding the two platesZ'V together extendlikewise through these resilient pieces'.

Fastened to each yoke` l2 is a downwardly extending member 3i which atlits lower end forms a support for a hinge-3io to whichare attached the two halves 33 of a templet 34,-each ofthese templets being relatively short in the-direction of the chain of links I0. Fixed toathe bar l3fat the center thereof is a downwardly extending-bar 35 which supports a hinge 35a on. which two halves 35 of the templet 31y are supported. Templet 31 is generallysmilar to the 'templets 34 but is of considerablygreaterlongitudinal length since this templet is to .be inserted Within and completely occupy a package forming tray whereas the short templets merelyoccup-y the ends of package forming trays. y

Cooperating with the tray applying members which have been abovedescribed are the mold members, or tray forming members of thevinstant invention. In describing these members` the reference characters used have no referencel to Patent No. 2,265,024 and it is to be understood that this is the case. Each mold member comprises ar channellike member 40 having a slot 39,( Fig. 1), in thefbase thereof, this slot extending about two-thirds of the length -of the channeland terminating at `the points designated il (Figure 5). Beneath ,the channel member 4@ is a base 42 which is generally rectangular in shape and which has a rectangular slot 42a. near the center thereof. The upstanding arms of the channel are cut as indicated-at 43 (Figures 4 and 5) to provide space vfor the forming plates 44 which plates are adjustably positioned by means of the screws 45 and adjusting nuts i6 of Figure fr. In addition, theseplates are heated by means of the electrical heaters 41 the leads 48 to which extend through holes in the upstanding arms of the channel as shown in Figure 5. At each end of each of the side vforming plates 44 the channel is slotted transversely and outwardly of the slots the channel is lledin as, for example, by a metallic block, or may be made solid forming a flat surface, the sides oi which are spaced from the ends of the side forming plates 44, these flat surfaces forming mold ends. The base for the mold is removable and comprises a bar t having tongues 5l thereon which iit in grooves 52 in the base of the channel 40. This bar is also provided with an electrical heating unit designated 53 the lead to which extends through the bar to a heater terminal at point 54. rIhe bar is moved into and out of itsr position by means of rack teeth 55 (Figure 2) which are formed on the lower surface of the bar and which cooperate with a gear wheel 56 which is ysuitably driven for operation in time with the operation of the plunger member and other lportions of the machine. 'y f i Located above the removable bottom or bar 50 and slidably mounted in grooves inthe forming members 44 is a similar bar 250 which barserves as the bottom of a mold'formed bythe upper portions of plates 44 during a preliminary form-kv ing operationofthe cellulose acetate or other moldable 'material as will appear hereinafter.v

This bar '250.is provided with rack teeth 25| on.

its lower surface, which teeth cooperate with a gearasuch as .252 (Figure l1), the gear being. suitably'` driven for timed operation with the plungery member and other portions of the machine. f

Ateacnend ofA the slot in the base 42 andiyil'g" immediately above the removable bottomor 'bar lill,r there isslocatedan end bending and holding-y piece4 51.v which piece has a beveled edge58 (Fig.

ure 2)r.-an`d is urged intoits innermost position by means of :the spring 60 stretched between the luglfonthe piece 51`and lug .52 formed inte,-v grallywith the channel 4U. Thesesprings are; adjustable.. by means of the screws. and nutslL and 64 as is clearly shown in the drawings.;

Adjacent each corner Aof the slot inthe baseg42 but abovethe bar 50 is a flap folding member B5 each of Awhich is mounted on a shaft B6 and is oscillatableafrom. the position shown (Figure 5) to that in which its Ylong edge lies parallel to the long" edgeof the slot in the base 42. Theshafts 66.:extend. downwardly through `bushings of, the base 42 and carry on their lowerends gear sectors 61 which mesh with pinions 68 which in turn are. mounted. Aon shafts 10 whichl shafts extend through the base and cover andcarry pinions 1I ontheir upper ends.

v-The pinions 1| at th lowerright hand and upper left hand portions of the mechanism, was shown in Figure-B, mesh withidler pinions'12 which in turn mesh with pinions 13. The pinions 1I Vof the mechanisms at the upper righthand.

and lower left :hand/corners of Figure 3 meshy directly with pinions .13. In every instance the pinions 13. mesh in turn with gear sectors 14 whichA aremounted on shafts 15 extending up;-` wardly and bearing pins 16 near their upperends, see particularly.: Figure 2. Actuating members 11 are guided' on the upwardly extending ends of the snaft`15 andhave in their surfaces helical slots -18intovwhich the pins 16 extend. Thus when the members 11 are depressed they actuate the' train of gears comprising the sectors V14, pinions13, 12,'1I;"68 and gear sectors 61 to operate'` the flap folding member 65. As has been indicated'the shafts on which the pinions (iB-,'12 and'13 are mounted arestud shafts which extend into and are supported by the cover member 'about to be described.

Cover member isla plate which extends over and is fastened to the upright arms of the channel/'member 40. This plate is recessed in lits lower surface to provide a passageway through which a blank lof cellulose acetate 'or other moldable material may be fed. The recess extends to thefright.' as seen in Figures 4 and 5 to the point 8| the termination of the recess acting as a. stop forthe strip or blank of tray material; Also A theoover 80 has a rectangular slot therein which vlies immediately above the rectangular slot inthe base`42. Above the plate 80' and spaced therefrom is a second plate 82 which has a large generally rectangular slot 83 thereinand which serves as a v'support for the upper ends of the 'various pinion shafts mentioned as well as to holdin position brackets 84 which support horizontal shafts 85 on which are mounted the guiding rollers 86 for the tray forming and lowering member i6.v

therefrOmto the left, as shown in Figure 2, and

.Figure 2*) comesagainst thel end carries at its end a bracket v8`| 'which forms Aa support for the shaft'on which gear '5B-rotates.' This extension atV thebase of the channel'also carries a pair of brackets 88 fixed 'tctheextension by means of the screws 90, these brackets forming a support for the shaft 9| on which'a feed roller 92 is mounted. The .feedrollerf92 cooperateswith and lies directly below a primary feed and perforating roll 93 which is mounted upon a shaft 94 which may be supported -in any Suitable manner not shown. The. entiremold structure comprising .the channel 40': and the other cooperating parts hereinabove described, isfsuitably mounted .in a -fixed position, `this mounting being omitted from the drawings for the sake of clarity. The feed rolls '92 and-93 are designed to feed a blank such as that shown in Figure 6, and perforate that blankeas'shown at!! in Figure 7. j'`

This blank comprisesa strip ofv celluloseacetate 95 or other moldable' material of a Width =equal to the width plus twice the height ofthe tray to be formed and having certain perforations, scored lines and slotsas shown inFigure 'and about to be described. At intervals corresponding to the length of the tray to be formed, and consequently corresponding to the width-of the ultimate package, holes 96 are punched on` the longitudinal center line of the strip 95; `these holes, as a result, being spaced apart a distance equal to the length plus twice the'height-of Athe trays to Abe formed. Running longitudinally of thes'trip and spaced `,inwardly from-the` margins thereof a distance equal to the .height of the tray to be formed (and therefore: equal to the heightcf 4the package to be formed) are score lines? 91 which facilitatethe turning up .-of the s'ids of the trays. On-these 'scorelinesthere are punched holes '98 which locatesthe corners of' thebottom of the ".tray intsuch-mannerf-that the'center'point 96 ofthe'bottomfareaxis Tequidistant from the holes '98. Running transversely ofthe blank between the score lines97, or-be tween pairs of holes l'98, areadditional -score lines which facilitate the folding ofi the ends of the material as will beidescribedlater.l Narrow slots are punched which extendfrom each one of the holes-90 outwardly tofthemarg-inmof the strip, these yslotsgserving 'tol eliminate encess material and to absorb expansion. The feed roller 93 has ridges r93a thereondcorresponding to the score lines- 91 and |00. -Likewise-this roller has pins |0|-ther`eon which cooperatewith the holes 96 tocause feeding ofthematerial: a definite amount upon each Vhalfrotationv oA l,the feed roller. In addition ltolthe Jridges'v ydp mentioned, the feed roller J93,carries`'onit'ssur-f` face a plurality f teeth '|02 whichperfifate the" blank along'its center lifielto'falitatethe ultimate severing of the'niateiial subsequentto the application 'of "the reinforcing 'tray'.tothe base sheet. v n I f u In timed 'relationship to' tn ep'eraticn ofth'e main'machine the "fe'e'd roller 93 is op'eiatedto advance the strip'of material intofposition'such that its forwardend (righth' "Jsseen in cf'thejrecess in the cover'80. vAt this timefthe'mold bottom or barj50 is in itsright hand-'positionjasseen in Figure 2,'the upper bar Z50-is' itsleftj' hand position as seen-in Figure n2,'ant'l, fvcoursejthe end formingpieces 151' `are in their "wardp'ositions to y'which they are urged*by thespiiigt0;

Next the blank is severed frornj the-`stripby the severed blank being shown in Figure '7. Following this the tray lowering member IG With'pcints 22 above the lower edges of plates 25, is caused to move downwardly until it rests against the bar 250. This action causes bending of the side and end portions of the blank upwardly as shown in Figure 8. Due to the seating of the lower edges of plates 25 against the bar 250 theaction just above described results :informing accurate square cornered bends along the juncture of the bottom and sides of the. tray. This result may, if desirable, be furtherassured by providing a heating element in the bar 250 in a manner similar to that in which bar -isprovided with a heating element 53.

' Following this action the bar 250 is moved to the right 'and the tray 'lowering number IB is caused 'to 'move downwardly till it rests against the bar'50.

Th'e'extreme ends of the end portionsextend beyond the'side portions at this time and are permittedtodescend in this form due to the cutaway portions vof the sides of the channel'40 as is best illustrated in Figure 4 in which the slots formed -by virtue ofthe construction are shown at |04. lIt willzbe seen that the beveled edges 58 ofthe members 51 presses against the material and. hold the ends4 against the ends of the tray forming and inserting plates 25, which constitute a mold plunger. At this time flanges 2| lie above the edge of the tray end; this pressure of piece 51 'a'gainstlthe'tray ends assures that the flanges and cutting edges will pass outside the tray ends in their later descent. The presence of the semicircular'cuts resulting from severing the blank across the center lines of holes 95, assists the cutting of the tray. To increase this effect the holes-may be made in a diamond shape, the feed pins being modified accordingly.

Following the operation above described the actuators I1 are moved downwardly causing rotation of the shafts 15 and consequent rotation of the flap folding members B5 which members acteagainst the extended flaps on the ends of the blank-to'fold them against the upsta-nding sides of the blank, the position of the folding members 65 after this operation being shown in Figures 9--an'd` 9a. Since the heating elements have been energized 'at all times the pressure exerted by the membersl65- upon the flaps of the endsof the blank causes theseiiaps to adhere to the sides of -thevblank and to complete the formation of a tray, If desirableadhesive may be substituted for heat.

Next the gear` is actuated to retract the mold bottom lor bar 50 and the now formed tray carried bythe tray .applying memberv I6 is caused to descend through the rectangular slot in the base 42 and beapplied to the longitudinally reinforced base sheet 'on the links l0. Means not shown are provided for spraying adhesive against the bottom ofthe formed tray as 'it descends into position'on'the' ba'se sheet or inthe alternative the links may. be'provided at their ends with heating elements in order to cause adherence of-the trays to the-base sheets by Vmeans of heat and pressure. Shortly thereafterf'the plates 20 are 'lowered under controlof their actuators the sharpened edges 2| Iand-23 thereof cutting through the centers of the bottoms and ends of the tray-like members l and perpendicularly to these cuts through the baseV sheet. .In other words, the trays are cut in'half andiV the sheetifis -incised in anl H-shape.

:Following-this 'the various parts of the members 1B are Tactuated 1in the manner described in 9 detail in my Patent No. 2,265,024 and specifically extending from line 59, column 1, page 4, to line 22, column 2 ofvthat page. At this time the templets are still within the partially formed package trays and the half trays have been rotated into position to form package ends. Thereupon adhesive material or solvent for the base sheet and the trays il is. sprayed between the longitudinal reinforcing strip and the 'corners of the members Il and immediately thereafter the hinged sides 105 of the links IQ are rotated about their hinged points by means of the actuators IBB causing the reinforced edges or sides of the package to be adhered to the corner pieces formed from the trays Il.

It will be obvious that the material on the center link of the three is formed into a complete tray while that on each .of the two outside links is formed into a single ended tray. However, the next movement of the links will be such as to advance them through two link lengths so that the tray having its forward edge previously formed will be in position `to have its rear end formed thereby resulting in the effective completion of two complete trays on each operation.` It will also be clear that in order to effect such a result the mold members comprising the channel lill and its associated parts together with the tray forming and applying members I6 are supplied in duplicate, as is shown in Figure l. It will moreover be clear that by the addition of a third molding member comprising the channel 4Q `and its associatedrparts and a third member I5, as is indicated by the dash-dot lines in Figure 3, three or more trays may be made simultaneously and applied to the base sheet to form effectively a corresponding number of complete package trays at each operation of the. machine. -If this is done it will, of course, be necessary to modify the drive of the links l so that on each intermittent actuation of the chain a movement of three'or more link' lengths occurs. Following the folding of the side members, as has been described, the package trays may be filled and covered, the side naps being sealed to the covers inthe same manner and with use of the same equipment described in detail in Patent No. 2,265,024 which equipment is shown in a rather schematic way to the right of the break in Figure l, 4

It may at times, as hasv been above indicated, be desirable to utilize the tray forming or molding equipment described, for the purpose of forming a tray of proper size to be used as the base of apackage and to use the same or a similar mechanism to form a slightly larger tray which will fit over the base tray to form a cover for'such a package. When this is done the feed roller 93 will not be provided with teeth |62 since it is not desired to perforate the tray along its centerline as is desirable when the tray is merely to be used for reinforcement for the vends and corners of a package forming tray as heretofore described. Furthermore, in utilizing the equipment'for this purpose a solid plunger will be provided in place of the plunger which has been generally designated as i6. Also it may be preferable that naps be formed on the sides of the tray rather than on the ends and that these flaps be folded over the ends rather than over the sides. To accomplish this the folding member 65 of Figures 8 and 9 are actuated inthe reverse direction and, of course, the blank is modied in corresponding manner whereby the flaps, or in some instances, opening tab eX- tensions of reinforcing strips embedded in the .augmented in some instances by a rotating rod bearing a helical groove and cooperating with projections extending outwardly and downwardly from the sides of the link. and lying under the helical rods.

In the present instance the machine is positively driven by virtue of rack teeth III (Figure l) cut into the lower surface of the downward extensions H0 at each side of each link. These rack teeth mesh with pinions H2, Figures 1 and ll, which pinionsare mounted on the shafts H3 which extend transversely of the machine as is seen particularly in'Figure l1. Alternate ones of the shafts H3 carry beveled gears H4 at their left ends and the remainder carry like beveled gears H4 at their right hand ends. In either event the beveled gears H4 mesh with beveled gears H5 mounted on the shaft H6 or Hl as the case may be. Shafts H6 and H1 extend. longitudinally of the machine and each carries atone'end thereof a spur gear H8 or H9 lin turn meshing with the gears |20 or 12|. These latter gears are driven in any suitable manner as, for example, that shown in Figure 21 of my Patent No. 2,130,761 issued September 20, 1938, which drive mechanism incorporates a Geneva movement such as has been mentioned.

In this construction the helically cut rods of my prior patents, such as those shown in Figures l and 2 of the patent above identified, are eliminated and intheir place there is provided a rod |22 which bears against the upper surface of the lower portion of the extension lill and causes the links to seat properly upon the vacuum supply tube. The rods H22 are tapered at one end so that as the links of the moving chain pass about freely rotatable wheels (not shown) at the ends of the machine, the lower portions 'of extensions H0 of the links are sure to pass under the rods and are then caused to be pressed into proper position on the vacuum tube 11G due to the tapered formation of the rod ends.' The wheels at the ends of the machine replace `the `sprocket wheels of Figure v21 of Patent No. 2,130,761, these wheels being plane surfaced and being rotatably mounted on the shaft so that the drive is through the rack teeth only.

" 'In order that the length of the unit packages may be altered means are provided for separating the links of the moving chain as will be described hereinafter. In addition to this means it is, of course, necessary to provide a different size of top plate 123 and in addition, of course, it will be necessary to change the spacing of the tray making and applying members so that the reinforcing trays will be applied'to the package ends.

The means for separating the links are shown in Figures 1 and 11 and =comprise a downwardly extendingportion of the link structure designated as 124i in the drawing, this portion having the rack teeth lil cut inits lower surface which extends to the right, as shown nFigure 1, and square teeth Ila in the upper surface of its extending portion. Furthermore, as will be most clearly seen in Figure 1, the downwardly extending portion of lug |24 is supplied in duplicate one on either side of the bottom portion of the L-shaped extension of the link. Further each side of the bottom edge ofthe extension ||0 carries square teeth as is indicated at |26v with the resulting effect, on either side of the lower edge of the extension of the link, of a slot cut into the link extension and provided with square cut teeth on either edge thereof. Through the portions |24 of each link extension a pivot screw |30 passes and on ythis screw is pivoted a connecting bar |21 which extends to the left of the pivot screw |30 .as seen in Figure 1, and carries on its lower surface rack teeth |28 of the same conformation as thel rack teeth As is clearly seen in Figure 11, this bar is of such a width as to lie between the two extensions of the portions |24. In order that the .distance between the pivot screws may be varied two plates |3| are provided, these plates having square cut teeth on their upper and loweredges and being fastened to the bar |21 by means of the screws |32. When in position the square cut teeth on the edges of the two plates |3| (one lying in front of and one behind the bar |21) are engaged with teeth |26 on the upper edges of the slots in the link and with the square cut teeth alongthe upper edge of the projections |25 forming the slots.

Thus in order to adjust the distance between links, it is only necessary to remove the screws |32 and the plates |3| after which the bars |21 can be given a desired position with respect to the adjacent links and the plates reinserted with their teeth meshing with different ones of the teeth of the link structure after which the screws |32 may be reinserted and tightened.

In- Figures l and 1l are also shown modifications of the link structure asv compared with that shown in my prior Patents Nos. 2,147,632 and 2,130,761, these modifications being particularly with respect to the mode of transmitting the applied suction or vacuum through the body of. the links to the sheet registering plates such as 40 of Figures 1 and 11. In the present instance each link comprises a generally rectangular body portion |41 carrying along its side edges the downwardly extending members previously described. Body portion |4| has a round hole therein extending upwardly fromits bottom edge almost to the top thereof which hole is bushed with a bushing |42. Within this bushing is an upwardly projecting cylindrical memberv |43 which has a lower concave surface formed. integrally therewith to which is fastened a shoe |44 which engages the vacuum or suction applying tube`|10, there being a gasket |45 between the member |43 and the shoe |44.

Fastened to the shoe |44 at each end thereof are the upwardly extending U-shaped4 members or brackets |46 through which curved bars |41 attached to the downward extension l0 of the body portion |4| are fixed. This construction prevents the shoes and projections |43 from falling out of the link structure when that structure passes beyond the tube. A coil spring |48- is placed between each bushing |42 and a rim |50 formed on the cylindrical projection |43, the springs tending to hold the shoes against the vacuum tube during the traverse of the links along that tube and also forcing the upper surface -the boss.

of the lower portion of extension ||-01tlghtly against rodV |22, thereby maintainingexact registration throughout contacts of shoes withv tube.

In the same way was shown particularly in'Figure 13 of my PatentNo. 2,130,761, the rotation of a helically ribbed tube causes the operation of poppet valves to admit suction into the link structure atA the proper time. In my prior patents there was no assured mode of transmitting this suction to the suction plates such as |40, the possibility of leaks occurring at the points between the various gaskets being relatively great.

In'v order to eliminate thisdefect the present structure provides an upwardly extending-cylindrical boss |5| on the member |43, thiszbossbeing threaded. on its external surface to .cooperate with anut |52; Areinforcediiexible tube |55..such as arubber. tube reinforcedwith a coil spring isfprovided the yrubber or other resilient portion thereof being flanged. outwardly at its bottomendand seated upon the upper edgeofV the boss |5 being heldiinpositionv by the inwardly extending flange of the, nut |52; This tube extends upwardly,` and passes4 through a central hole in the bottomwall of theregistering plate structure |401 which bottom wall is likewise provided with anintegral boss |53. A nut |54 similar to the nut'. 152B providedy and the flexible tube |55 is inserted through the boss |53 andbent over the upper surface of that boss whereupon thev nut is threaded on to the exterior threads of the boss clamping the flange of the tube between the inwardly extending flange of the nut and topof Of course, the sheet registering plate |23 of the upper link plate structure'l40. is then fastened into its position, as shown in Figures 1 and 11.

It will be seen that due to the arrangement just described there can be no possible leak of thefapplied suction at anypoint during its transmission and particularly noleakage due to misregistration or due to wear, drying out or other gaskety defects such as were possible in thestructure of my earlier patents hereinabove mentioned;

It is at times desirable to increase the productiveA capacity of a machine of the type-Which has been described above. For this purpose a structure such as that'of Figure 12, may be utilized. This structure is inr generalv similar to that a1- ready described exceptthat each link ofthe moving chain is in this instance provided with an upperA plate |60 which distributes the vacuum from the tube |55 to two vacuum sheet registering plates |40 each carried at one side of the plate |60-, thevacuum channels being shown at the right and left of the plate |60, and designated |6|. This in effect supplies two chains `oflinks each of which is cooperated with by tray forming and applying mechanisms identical with, those previously described except that the feed of the blanks is'in one instance from the left handside and in the other from the right as will be obvious by'reference to Figurev 12. It, will be understood, of course, that additional mechanism for filling thetrays when formed and for applying cover sheets and for sealingr the packages will also be provided being unnecessary to show this since they are simply duplicates of those indicated in Figure l and described in detail in my Patent No. 2,265,024 mentioned many times hereinabove.

In place of the duplicate top plates a single top plate of increasedv size may be utilized so that the resulting packages have greater transverse width than longitudinal length thereby causing the reinforcing and opening strips to run along preformed blank above the molding chamber formed by the said bottom, side and end elements, a plunger of a size to substantially fill the said molding chamber and means for lowering said plunger against the blank to fold thesides and ends of the blanks upwardly to pass the extremities of the ends of the blank through the spaces between the upstanding mold sides'and ends and to cause said ends to be pressedl inwardly against the plunger by said resiliently pressed auxiliary end elements, the lowering of said plunger also serving to seat the base of said blank against said bottom element.

2. In a device for making package trays, in

combination, a mold member having a removable bottom element, upstanding sides extending above said bottom elements, means=for-ad justing said sides toward and away from eaoh other, upstanding end elements extending across said side elements at the upper portions thereof and being slightly spaced therefrom, additional end elements extending upwardly from` 'said bottom member and being resiliently pressed inwardly, means for feeding a preformed blank above the molding chamber formed by the said bottom, side and end elements, a plunger of a size to substantially fill the said molding chamber, said adjustable sides, resiliently urged ends and plunger together rendering the mold chamber slightly variable in size, and means for lowering said plunger against the blank to fold the sides and ends of the blanks upwardly to pass the extremities of the ends of the blank through .the spaces between the upstanding mold sides and ends and to cause said ends to be pressed inwardly against the plunger by said resiliently pressed auxiliary end elem-ents, the lowering of said plunger also serving to seat the base of said blank against said bottom element.

3. In a device for making package trays, in

combination, a mold member having a removable bottom element, upstanding side members extending above said bottom element, upstanding end members extending across said side members and slightly spaced therefrom, means for feeding a preformed blank above the molding chamber formed by the said bottom member and side and end members, a plunger of a size to substantially ll the said molding chamber, means for lowering said plunger against the blank to fold the side and ends of the blank upwardly to pass the extremities of the ends of the blank through the space between the said mold sides and ends and to seat the base of said blank against said bottom member, means located adjacent the corners of the molding chamber to bend flaps on the ends of the blank against the sides, means for heating the upstanding members and bottom element to cause adhesion of the bent flaps to the sides and means for removing said removable bottom element and further lowering said plunger. to remove the formed rtrayfrom the device. 1 x f 4. In a 4device for making package trays, in combination', arnold member having a removable bottoml element,` upstanding sides'extending above said bottom element, upstanding endmembers extending 'across said side members 'and slightly spaced therefrom,A an auxiliary bottom element extending between said side members adjacent the top thereof, means for feeding a preformed blank above the molding chamber formed bythe 'said bottom ele-ments and side and end members, a plunger of a size to substantially fill -the said molding chamber, means for lowering said plunger against the blanklto fold thev sides and ends of the blank upwardly Vand toseat ,the base of said blank against said auxiliarymclding element', the -extremities of said ends lyingin rthe "said spaces between said mold sides'k andends, means for removing the auxiliary molding element and further lowering said plunger to complete the bending into place ofthe sides andends ofthe box blank, and to pass the. extremities of the ends through the said spaces,v means'located adjacent' the corners of the molding chamber f-to bend flaps on 'the ends ofthe blank against the sides, means fori'heating the upstanding mem- -bers and' bottom element to 'cause adhesion: of

vthe bent flaps to the sides, and means lfor 'removing said removable bottomv "element vand Ifurther lowering. said- 'plunger to remove.' the formed tray from the device. 1

'5.' In a'device for forming reinforcing tray Elike members and applying saidmembers to asheet of cellulose acetate or "the like, in combination, a

molding chamber comprising a removable bottom i element and upstanding side and end elements, said end elements being spaced from the ends of said side elements, a plunger adapted to be low-y ered into said molding chamber, means for feeding preformed blanks into position above said molding chamber, means for lowering said plunger against said blank to force the blank into the chamber and to cause bending of the sides and ends of said blank upwardly, and to pass the extremities of the ends of the blank through the spaces between said mold sides and ends, means located adjacent the corners of said chamber to fold the naps of the ends of the blank against the sides thereof to form a tray, means to remove said removable bottom element, means to lower said plunger and to carry the formed tray from the molding chamber into contact with a sheet of cellulose acetate or the like in position beneath said tray, means to cause said tray to adhere to said sheet, 'and means carried by said plunger to cut said tray in half and to make an H-shaped incision in said sheet whereby the two half trays may be rotated about their edges to form reinforced ends for the ultimate package.

6. In a device for forming tray like reinforcing members to be used as end reinforcements for a package formed from sheets of cellulose acetate or the like, in combination, a molding chamber comprising a bottom and upstanding end and side walls, said end walls being spaced from the ends of said side walls, means for sliding said bottom to open the mold, means for heating said bottom, means for heating said side walls, means comprising a plunger located above said molding chamber for inserting a box blank into said mold, the sides of said box blank lbeing bent upwardly due to cooperation of said side walls with said plunger, the ends of said blank being likewise bent upwardly due to cooperation of the end walls 15 with said plunger, said ends .extending A,outwardly beyond the bent up sides, means comprising piv otallymounted arms vlocated adjacent the .corners' of Athe mold for bending -thezextendingxends -ag'ainst the Abent up sides .andadheringthe -ends tosaid sides due to the `heat ofthe sidewalls and the pressure imparted .bysaid- Ibending means,

means located adjacentztheaendsuof the molding kchamber-*spring pressed yinwardly vto hold A11i-ie ends in zpositionagainst; the plunger during said-bending ,of the extensions of said ends. against the sides andfmeans. operable at the completionY o'f the bending .operation for removing .said bottom element and velecting Vthe formedtray like .mem-

bei-'fromthe molding chamber due to'additiona-l g movement of the said plunger.

7; Aimoldfor, use inthe formation of pac age trays eomprisingupstanding side.; members, a removable `solidbottom, xed end members Vextending across at least the upper |portions otsaid side members and being slightly spaced therefrom, and meanspivotally mounted beneath said" end'. members for foldingA the end flaps formed in the space between said side: and Aend vmembers Yagainst thesidesof-a formed tray.

8. Amold foruse in the formation of package traysl comprising upstanding'side members, albettom member, end'` members extending across.l said sidev member-s and being slightlyv spacedr therefrom,. and an auxiliary lbottom member mounted for movement'into and'outof position above said first mentioned removable bottom member. I

9. A mold for use in the formation-of'packageitrays comprising;v upstanding side members, a, removable bottom member, end members-extending, across at least the upper portions of said :side members and being slightly spaced therefrom, an auxiliary bottom member mounted for movement into and out of lposition above said rst mentioned removable bottom member, said auxiliary bottommember cooperating with said side and endmembers -to form a tray having end naps extending into the spaces between said side and end members, and means pivotally mounted beneath said end members for folding said end V11ans Aagainst the sides of a formed tray, said folding-members operating subsequent to the removal Aof said auxiliary bottom member.

FREDERICK E. BICKFORD.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 101,354 Crosby Mar. 29, 1870 208,661 Wright Oct. 1, 1878 223,406 Strieby Jan. 6, 1880 536,021 Eschenbeck Mar. 19, 1895 538,770 Eschenbeck May 7, 1895 634,507 Smith Oct. 10, 1899 1,113,715 Taylor Oct. 13, 1914 1,257,988 Evers Mar. 5, 1918 1,400,060. Heim Dec. 13, 1921 1,701,317 Stoker Feb. 5, 1929 1,715,585 Woodworth June 4, 1929 1,724,077 Fleischer et al Aug. 13, 1929 1,988,452 Knowlton Jan. 22, 1935 2,132,859 Mednick et al Oct. 11, 1938 

